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To the Mom Who Feels Like She’s Failing at the One Thing She Was Sure God Called Her To…

  Let’s be honest. Some days you feel like the circus clown… Only the clowns have more help and better costumes. Your “classroom” is the kitchen table. Your students? One’s crying, one’s hiding, one’s asking you a question that sounds like it came straight out of a college exam. Meanwhile, the baby’s screaming, the dog just threw up on the rug, and the toddler… well… let’s just say the peanut butter was NOT supposed to be art supplies. And you? You’re standing there with cold coffee, wondering how in the world you ended up in charge of someone’s entire education. "Maybe I’m in over my head." "Maybe I’m wrecking their future." "Maybe they’d be better off with a real teacher." You’ve seen those Instagram-perfect homeschool moms… Neat handwriting on the whiteboard, shelves arranged by color, kids smiling like they just won the lottery for Most Well-Behaved Family. You’ve tried to copy them. You’ve stayed up past midnight rearranging books, printing lesson ...
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9. The Elements of Success in Mental Prayer: A Guide for Beginners

 


Mental prayer is a form of prayer that engages the mind and heart, allowing us to connect deeply with God. Unlike mystical prayer, which may not be accessible to everyone, mental prayer is a gift God offers to all, although it still depends on His will and our own efforts. This guide will break down the elements of success in mental prayer and how anyone, regardless of their level of education or experience, can achieve them.

Understanding Mental Prayer

Mental prayer involves more than just reciting words. It’s a process where we think deeply about God, His goodness, and how we can align our lives with His will. It's about meditating on God's presence and His love for us, and allowing these thoughts to transform our hearts and actions.

Success in Mental Prayer Depends on Two Things:

  1. God’s Will: God distributes His gifts as He pleases. Not everyone will experience mental prayer in the same way, but everyone can benefit from it according to God’s plan for them.
  2. Our Efforts: There are specific things we can do to improve our mental prayer. These efforts are related to the state of our soul, our lifestyle, and our approach to prayer itself.

1. Dispositions of the Soul

The first step towards successful mental prayer is preparing our soul. This involves striving for purity in various aspects of our life.

a. Purity of Conscience

Purity of conscience means having a clear conscience, free from the attachment to sin. Even though small faults may occur, a pure conscience means we’re not comfortable living with them. We actively combat these faults, detach ourselves from them, and confess them sincerely when we fall.

  • How to Achieve It: After recognizing a fault, confess it promptly and repent with trust in God’s mercy. Never be discouraged by your weaknesses; instead, see them as opportunities to grow in humility. By rising after each fall, we show our desire to belong entirely to God.

b. Purity of Heart

A pure heart loves only God or loves others as God wills. It means letting go of any unhealthy attachments or relationships that pull us away from God. When our heart is free from these distractions, it can focus entirely on God.

  • How to Achieve It: Reflect on your relationships and attachments. Ask yourself if they bring you closer to God or distract you from Him. If needed, make changes to prioritize your relationship with God above all else.

c. Purity of Mind

Purity of mind involves controlling our thoughts, imagination, and memory. It’s about avoiding thoughts that are harmful or distracting, and focusing our mind on God.

  • How to Achieve It: Monitor your thoughts. Avoid dwelling on negative or harmful memories, and gently redirect your mind towards uplifting and holy thoughts. If you find yourself overwhelmed by distractions, take a moment to pause and bring your mind back to God.

d. Purity of Will

Our will is pure when it desires only what God wants. This means being ready to do God’s will in all things, whether it's following His commandments, obeying the Church, or accepting the events of our daily life as part of His plan.

  • How to Achieve It: Practice surrendering your desires to God. When faced with a choice or a challenge, ask yourself what God would want you to do and try to follow that path, even if it’s difficult.

2. Mental Prayer Itself

Mental prayer becomes fruitful when our soul is in a state of purity. However, this purity is not a requirement to begin mental prayer—it’s something we grow into through the practice of prayer itself.

Tips for Practicing Mental Prayer:

  • Start with Simplicity: Begin by simply thinking about God, His love, and His presence. Use a passage from the Bible or a spiritual book as a starting point.
  • Be Consistent: Set aside a specific time each day for mental prayer. Consistency is key to deepening your prayer life.
  • Stay Humble: Don’t worry about having profound thoughts or experiences. God values your effort and sincerity more than your perfection.
  • Trust God’s Timing: Growth in prayer takes time. Be patient with yourself and trust that God is guiding you, even when you don’t feel it.

3. Progressing in Mental Prayer

Purity of life and mental prayer support each other. As we grow in holiness, our prayer life deepens, and as our prayer life deepens, we grow in holiness.

How to Foster This Growth:

  • Prayer and Reflection: Regularly reflect on your life and ask God to show you areas where you need to grow.
  • Penance and Sacrifice: Small sacrifices and acts of penance can purify your soul and make you more receptive to God’s grace.
  • Use the Sacraments: Regular confession and reception of the Eucharist are powerful means of purification and spiritual growth.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Mental prayer is a journey that requires patience, effort, and trust in God. It’s not about achieving a certain state or feeling, but about growing in love and union with God. By striving for purity in our conscience, heart, mind, and will, we prepare ourselves to receive God’s grace more fully. This journey may be challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding, leading us to a closer relationship with God and a more peaceful, joyful life.

Even if you’re new to this form of prayer or feel unworthy, remember that God is pleased with every sincere effort you make to seek Him. He is the loving Father who is always ready to welcome you into His presence, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. So, take the first step, trust in His mercy, and allow mental prayer to transform your life.

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